Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist

Job summary

Are you an innovative and dynamic Occupational Therapist looking for a new challenge? We are seeking a passionate Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist to join our supportive team within the Forensic Inpatient Service at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact, leading high-quality, evidence-based interventions that support recovery and rehabilitation. You will work within a multidisciplinary team, helping individuals develop the skills and confidence needed for greater independence.

If you're ready to take the next step in your career and thrive in a forward-thinking, supportive environment, we'd love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

As the Clinical Lead for the A2 Pathway wards - Norbury, Thames, and Spring - you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering high-quality Occupational Therapy (OT) services. You will lead the monitoring, development, and evaluation of standards to ensure high-quality, evidence-based, and cost-effective service delivery across the A2 pathway. You will provide training and consultancy for occupationally focused interventions within the Directorate and act as a resource for the forensic leadership, deputise when necessary and carry out delegated duties and projects as requested.

About us

We are a diverse and friendly Occupational Therapy team comprising OTs, OT Technicians, Clinical Exercise Instructors and Education Tutors. We offer a range of Recovery Hub based interventions, including Remotivation, Vocation and Employability, Physical Activities and Health Promotion, Creative Arts and Education. We have a café and library which form the main basis for our commercial vocation schemes and have well-established links with mainstream employers and a host of community vocation projects. We work in partnership with CALAT (Croydon Adult Learning and Training) to offer a range of accredited qualifications and deliver these in-house.

Date posted: 01 April 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 7

Salary: £51,883 to £58,544 a year per annum inclusive of outer HCAs

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 334-CLI-6992913

Job locations: Bethlem Royal Hospital, Beckenham, BR3 3BX

Job responsibilities

The service is mainly based at the Bethlem Royal Hospital where we support service users within medium and low levels of security both in River House and Chaffinch ward. In addition, we support service users at Ward in the Community which are based on the Lambeth Hospital site in Clapham. We work with men and women who have a range of mental health problems and a history of offending behaviour, which have brought them into contact with the criminal justice system.

We offer a supportive working environment, regular supervision, peer supervision, reflective practice and opportunities for CPD and annual appraisal. You will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to evidence-based practice and continuing professional development and be actively supported to develop your professional practice. You will also have the opportunity to further develop your specialist skills in assessments and interventions for Remotivation, MOHO based assessment tools and sensory interventions, as well as the opportunity to be involved in a number of multidisciplinary innovations including Restorative Justice and the exciting work of the Bethlem Gallery. We are always evolving particularly within our new South London partnership with our neighbouring Trusts Oxleas and South West London and St Georges and opportunities to grow and develop are always available.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential:

• Qualified and HCPC registered Occupational Therapist
• Post-registration qualification in related area

Desirable:

• Membership of OT professional body and/or special interest group
• Practice Placement Educators course

Experience

Essential:

• 2 years post-registration experience working with Mental Health service users at Band 6 level
• Extensive clinical experience including individual and group work
• Experience of supervising junior staff and students
• Leadership and/or first line management experience
• Experience of working with people with challenging behaviours

Desirable:

• Experience of working in an inner city, multicultural environment
• Experience of specialist Mental Health settings

Knowledge and Skills

Essential:

• High level understanding of Mental Health disorders and treatment models
• Detailed knowledge of legislation relevant to Mental Health and Specialist practice where appropriate
• Working knowledge of the principles of CPA (Care Programme Approach) where appropriate
• Extensive knowledge of the principles of risk assessment and risk management
• Specialist knowledge and application of OT and generic assessments, outcome measures and interventions relevant to client group

Desirable:

• An awareness and understanding of sensory approaches.
• Skills in equipment provision, specialist seating, positioning, and manual handling

Other

Essential:

• An understanding of working across different sectors in delivering service according to specific need
• Ability to work flexibly to meet service users and service needs, and at times work under pressure to meet targets
• Commitment to student and staff supervision
• Commitment to lifelong learning
• Must be prepared to work evenings & weekends if required ability to travel efficiently between sites

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Employer name: South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Bethlem Royal Hospital, Beckenham, BR3 3BX

Employer's website: https://www.slam.nhs.uk/